September 13, 2017

Welcome
to Catch it at the Comic Shop, where the Panel Patter team looks at
what's coming out at your favorite store or digital device this week.
Each one of us that participates picks up to three single issues and one
trade for your consideration, with a little bit about why we like it.

James' Picks:

Retcon #1 by Matt Nixon, Toby Cypress and Matt Kroetzer, Published by Image Comics.
This looks like a weird series delving into the realm of mind-control, crazy supernatural phenomena, and the fact that everything we see and experience may be a retcon of a previous version of reality. I've read the first issue and I can tell you it's terrific. Toby Cypress is the perfect artist for this sort of story; his art is psychedelic and grimy and weird but somehow also grounded. If you're looking for a series delving into the mystical, the supernatural and science fiction, this first issue is definitely worth a look.

Black Science #31 by Rick Remender and Matteo Scalera, Published by Image Comics.
Black Science is a series that started out with a great premise (Sliders meets Fantastic Four meets angst and dysfunction and punk rock) but it's turned out to be something more, something different than that. It's all of those things, but it's also a story about loss and regret and about living with our choices. It's also got some the wildest, most out-there exciting art of the past few years thanks to the amazing Matteo Scalera and a few different very talented colorists. His art is kinetic and fun and dramamtic, and always worth a look. Black Science is a terrific, emotionally affecting, science fiction series.

Dark Nights: Metal #2 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo, Published by DC Comics.
Not the typical sort of pick for us, but I just recently read the 2 prequels to this series and the first issue of this series and I'm excited for this next issue. This series is legitimately bonkers. It feels a little like writer Scott Snyder channeling his inner Grant Morrison. It's pulling in story aspects from decades of DC continuity, and feels like it's attempting to create a grand unified theory that ties these disparate aspects together. In doing so, it's bringing back classic DC characters and teams that haven't been seen for a while. Greg Capullo (and the rest of the art team) provide terrific, dynamic art - this really is a fun read. I honestly don't know what's precisely going on in this story, but I'm excited to read it, hoping the creative team can pull it off.

Rob's Picks:

Harrow County #25 by Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook, Published by Dark Horse Comics.I just had the pleasure of talking briefly with Tyler Crook about this series, and telling him just how much I love it. A pitch-perfect gothic horror story set in the South without falling into stereotypes, Crook is a big reason the series works so well, from his Eisner-like title sequences to being able to get the maximum scare value out of each image. Crook can use the gore or the gotcha with equal skill, and never overdoes it. Bunn is stellar as usual, with plotting and pacing that will surprise you. And oh yeah, did I mention this is the story of the daughter of a witch who has to fight the other magical forces in her home town, which is building to an explosion as we hit this issue? No, okay, now I just did. Check this out, then go back and catch up.

Hellboy and the BPRD: 1955 - Occult Intelligence #1 by Mike Mignola, Chris Roberson, Brian Churilla, and Dave Stewart, Published by Dark Horse Comics.Going to the Dark Horse well a second time here, and really, kinda unintentionally doing a horror-themed week, I guess. (What can I say? I love horror comics of all kinds.) These stories are from early in Hellboy's career, where he has little knowledge of what's to come and the people around him may not be so sure about working with this demon-like figure, given he's kinda the other side of the coin they protect against. Add the excellent Chris Roberson to the mix along with Brian Churilla, who's no stranger to bulky-looking characters, and you're off the the races as Hellboy and his team visit a mysterious island. A great starting point if you haven't read Hellboy in awhile.

Rocky and Bullwinkle Show #1 by Todd Livingston, Jacob Greewalt, and S. L. Gallant, published by American Mythology Productions.Okay, I admit this one's a reach--I know nothing about this comic or its creators. What I do know is that Rocky and Bullwinkle has great potential for working well in comics, ala the Simpsons. And with Russia in the news lately, there's a really good ground for using the evil henchpeople to send up some current events without coming on too strong. Unlike the others I've done, this isn't a "you must buy it" but I wanted to call attention to it, so that you can get moose and squirrel, too, and see what you think.

Halloween Tales by Olivier Boiscommun and Denis-Pierre Filippi, published by Humanoids.Is it too early to start repping Halloween books? Silly question! This gorgeous-looking book features three short stories that intertwine Halloween with human emotion. I've admittedly only read the preview pages so far, but they look spectacular, with detailed characters and backgrounds that look painted based on what I can see. This isn't the same horror as Harrow County, but it's definitely something I'm looking forward to reading.